Fraser Valley Parks: Chilliwack Lake
byAlthough Chilliwack Lake is in the “604” area code, it isn’t in Metro Vancouver. As such, it is the first entry for my Fraser Valley parks profile series.
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Metrics: Park size is a whopping 9,258 hectares with 146 campsites and 40kms of trails including a leg of the Trans Canada Trail.
How to Get There: About 150 km outside of Vancouver, the lake is about a 30 minute drive off the main road in Chilliwack, winding along the river. You’ll pass fisherman every few minutes parked or camped along the side of the road, fixing fishing line or cooking up a catch on an open campfire.
Features: The beach stretches out on the North end covered in fine white sand as an old-growth forest covers the mountains that flank the sides of the crystal-clear lake. The campground has a playground and several open spaces while the lake is fit for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or boating.
Notes: The setting is absolutely gorgeous and although Cultus Lake has its merits as a summertime playground, this destination about 40km away is far more secluded and pristine.
Reservations for the season at BC Parks open up April 1st with most Provincial Parks beginning their camping season during the May long weekend.
You may view all of my photos from today’s walk around Chilliwack Lake in this set on Flickr.
5 Comments — Comments Are Closed
wow beautiful place
As a kid I remember spending countless summers camping there. I’ve scraped countless knees on the ground there riding my bike. Did lots of fishing there.
But if there was one thing to remember was how bloody cold the lake water was. Even on a really hot summer day. That lake is always cold. Which is why it really never became a popular swimming destination like Cultus.
So peaceful, love Chilliwack Lake!
I love camping up at Chilliwack Lake during the summer, plus it’s a really nice drive.
What is the fishing like at Chilliwack Lake in mid May?